Environment

West Texas detention facility enacting water conservation measures after depletion of local water tanks

by Julián Aguilar

The Sierra Blanca facility, which houses ICE detainees, shuts down its water supply at 11 p.m. daily to allow its on-site water tanks to replenish overnight. Full Story 

Texas voters could stabilize funding for state parks with Proposition 5

by Carrington Tatum

Decades ago, lawmakers passed a law that was meant to fully fund Texas Parks and Wildlife, but the money never seemed to make it to the parks. Now they're asking voters to create a constitutional mandate that parks get more money. Full Story 

Plastic company set to pay $50 million settlement in water pollution suit brought on by Texas residents

by Stacy Fernández

A judge had ruled that the company illegally dumped billions of plastic pellets and other pollutants into Lavaca Bay and other waterways. Full Story 

Imelda victims will receive federal assistance after disaster declaration

by Davis Rich

Nearly 900 homes sustained major damage or were destroyed and uninsured in six affected counties, according to a preliminary assessment. Full Story 

Texans still don't know if they qualify for FEMA aid after Imelda. But some say the potential help may not be worth the wait.

by Stacy Fernández and Davis Rich

For people affected by Imelda to get FEMA aid, there have to be at least 800 flooded homes that weren't insured — and it could be weeks before Texans know if that threshold is met. Full Story 

Tropical Storm Imelda left 5 dead in Texas and many flooded. Will FEMA aid come next?

by Stacy Fernández

While Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency for Tropical Storm Imelda, it does not qualify individuals for financial assistance. That will have to come from FEMA. Full Story 

Two people dead, others left stranded and trapped in the wake of Tropical Storm Imelda

by Stacy Fernández

Both deaths were related to flooding from the storm. More than a thousand others needed to be rescued and evacuated. Full Story 

Tropical Storm Imelda's flooding turns deadly as southeast Texas is swamped by rain

by Stacy Fernández

The storm quickly became the fifth-wettest rainfall event in the continental United States. Gov. Greg Abbott issued an emergency declaration for several counties Thursday. Full Story 

Central Texas river authority, lakefront property owners reach settlement to avoid draining four lakes — for now

by Chase Karacostas

The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority and property owners in Guadalupe and Gonzales Counties agreed to not drain four lakes held up by 90-year-old dams, on the condition that recreational use of the lakes is banned. Full Story 

Judge temporarily blocks plans to drain four Texas lakes and accompanying dams

by Stacy Fernández and Chase Karacostas

The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority planned to drain the lakes, which it considers a public safety threat, on Monday. Full Story 

Texas environmental commission denies waste permit after residents rally against new facility

by Chase Karacostas

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality denied a permit request by a company seeking to open a hazardous waste processing facility near the Colorado River, citing concerns of contamination to both surface and ground water in the region. Full Story 

These dams needed replacing 15 years ago. Now Texas will drain four lakes instead — causing other problems.

by Chase Karacostas

Two floodgate failures on 90-year-old Guadalupe River Valley dams — and the plan to lower the remaining four — are highlighting Texas' underfunded, aging flood infrastructure. Full Story 

Julián Castro unveils climate plan centered on Green New Deal principles

by Alex Samuels

The plan carries a $10 trillion price tag and calls on the country to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. Full Story 

After Harvey surprised thousands with unexpected flooding, new law aims to better inform homebuyers

by Lara Korte and Connie Hanzhang Jin

The law, written by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, requires homeowners to disclose if their properties lie in a flood-prone area or have flooded before. It's an effort to expand notification after many homes unexpectedly flooded during Hurricane Harvey. Full Story 

Texas plastic bags are killing horses and cows

by Lara Korte

A year after the Texas Supreme Court dealt a death blow to municipal bans on plastic bags, legislative efforts to revive them have fallen flat, and ranchers, city leaders and environmental groups say plastic bag litter is as big a problem as ever. Full Story 

Texas might spend up to $20 billion to protect Houston from hurricanes. Rice University says it can do it for a fraction of that.

by Kiah Collier

A government plan to guard the Houston-Galveston region from deadly storm surges isn't expected to become reality for at least 15 years. Rice University says it has a plan that could be completed faster for a fraction of the cost. Full Story 

Can the “masters of the flood” help Texas protect its coast from hurricanes?

by Kiah Collier

After centuries of fighting back water in a low-lying nation, the Dutch have become the world leaders in flood control. And their expertise is helping Texas design what would become the nation’s most ambitious — and expensive — coastal barrier. Full Story 

Federal judge rules against Formosa Plastics in pollution case, calling company a "serial offender"

by Kiah Collier

The judge determined this week that the Taiwanese-owned company has been in "enormous" violation of its state-issued permits and federal clean water laws for discharging plastic pellets and other pollutants into Lavaca Bay and other waterways from its plant in Point Comfort. Full Story 

Texas voters’ biggest concerns for the country? Immigration and political corruption, UT/TT Poll says

by Ross Ramsey

Immigration and border security are at or near the top of voters' concerns about the U.S. and Texas, and political corruption is also near the top of their U.S. list, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story 

Gov. Greg Abbott signs disaster relief and preparedness bills in Houston

by Lara Korte

The legislation includes framework that provides more than $1.6 billion for flood control projects and repairs across the state. Full Story